Ticketmaster refunds depend on why you're asking and when the event is

Ticketmaster's refund policy is not one policy — it changes based on who cancelled (you or the event), when the event is, and what kind of tickets you bought. If the event organizer or venue cancelled, Ticketmaster must refund you. If you want to cancel yourself, the refund depends on the event's own cancellation rules, which Ticketmaster displays but does not set. The fastest way to start is the Ticketmaster website under your account, where you can see which refund option applies to your specific order.

The process is not automatic. You have to request the refund yourself — Ticketmaster does not send one just because an event was postponed or rescheduled. The timeline for receiving money back is usually 5 to 10 business days after Ticketmaster processes your request, though the exact timing depends on your bank.

Key Takeaways

  • If the event organizer cancelled or postponed the event, you can request a refund through your Ticketmaster account under "Upcoming Events" or "Past Events."
  • If you want to cancel your own purchase, the refund depends on the event's cancellation policy, which appears on the event page before you buy.
  • Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to reach your bank account after Ticketmaster processes them.
  • If Ticketmaster denies your refund request, contact the event organizer directly — they control the refund rules, not Ticketmaster.
  • Fees (service charges, facility charges, order processing fees) are usually non-refundable even when the event is cancelled, though some organizers waive them.

How to request a refund through your Ticketmaster account

Log into your Ticketmaster account and go to "My Events." Look for the event you want a refund for. If the event was cancelled or rescheduled, you will see a "Request Refund" button or link next to the order. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm.

If you do not see a refund button, the event has not been officially cancelled by the organizer, or the event's cancellation policy does not allow refunds. In that case, you will need to check the event page itself to see what the organizer's policy says. Some events allow refunds up to a certain date; others do not allow refunds at all.

After you submit your refund request, Ticketmaster will send you a confirmation email. The refund will go back to the original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or PayPal account you used to buy the tickets. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take longer to post the credit.

When the event organizer sets the refund rules, not Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster is the seller, but the event organizer (the band, sports team, theater, or venue) decides the refund policy. Before you buy, the event page shows whether the event is "refundable" or "non-refundable." If it says non-refundable and you buy anyway, Ticketmaster will not override that choice later.

If an event is marked refundable, you can usually cancel and get your money back up to a certain date — often 24 hours before the event, or sometimes up to a week before. Once that important date passes, the refund window closes. Check the event page for the exact date and time.

If you bought tickets to an event that was rescheduled (not cancelled), the organizer decides whether you get a refund or a credit toward the new date. Some organizers automatically refund; others require you to choose between a refund and keeping your tickets for the new date. Ticketmaster will show you this choice in your account.

Refunds for cancelled events and what happens to fees

When an event is cancelled, you have the right to a refund. Ticketmaster will notify you by email and show the refund option in your account. The refund covers the ticket price itself.

Fees are trickier. Ticketmaster charges a service fee, facility charge, and order processing fee on top of the ticket price. When an event is cancelled, these fees are usually non-refundable — you get back only the face value of the ticket. However, some event organizers choose to refund fees as well. If the organizer has done this, Ticketmaster will refund the full amount including fees. You can see what you will receive before you confirm the refund request.

If you cancelled the event yourself (not the organizer), fees are almost never refunded, even if the event's policy allows a refund of the ticket price. This is one reason to check the cancellation policy before you buy.

What to do if Ticketmaster denies your refund request

If you request a refund and Ticketmaster says no, the reason is usually that the event's cancellation policy does not allow it. Ticketmaster enforces the organizer's rules; it does not make exceptions on its own.

Your next step is to contact the event organizer directly — the band, team, venue, or promoter. They set the policy, and they can sometimes override it in special cases. Look for their contact information on the event page or the venue's website. Explain your situation and ask whether they will make an exception.

If the event was cancelled and Ticketmaster still will not refund you, this is unusual and worth escalating. Contact Ticketmaster customer service through the website (under "Help") and explain that the event was cancelled but no refund option appeared in your account. Provide your order number and the event name.

Ticketmaster customer service contact options

Ticketmaster offers customer service through its website, phone, and email. The fastest route is usually the website: log into your account, go to "Help," and search for your issue. Many common problems have self-service solutions there.

If you need to speak to someone, Ticketmaster's phone number is on the Help page and varies by country. Wait times can be long, especially around major event sales or cancellations. Email support is available but slower — responses typically take 24 to 48 hours.

Before you contact support, have your order number ready. You can find it in your confirmation email or in your account under "My Events." This speeds up the process.

Refunds for tickets bought through resellers and third-party sites

If you bought tickets through a reseller (StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, or another marketplace), the refund policy is the reseller's, not Ticketmaster's. Ticketmaster cannot process a refund for a ticket you did not buy directly from them.

Contact the reseller's customer service instead. Their refund policies vary widely — some allow refunds for cancelled events, others do not. Check the reseller's terms before you buy.

If the event was cancelled and the reseller refuses to refund, you may be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company. This is slower than a direct refund but can work if the reseller will not cooperate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Ticketmaster refund take?

Ticketmaster processes refunds within a few business days, but the money takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your bank account. Some banks are slower — check with yours if you do not see the credit after 10 days. The refund goes to the original payment method, so if you used a credit card, it will show as a credit on that card's next statement.

Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about going?

Only if the event's cancellation policy allows it. Before you buy, the event page shows whether tickets are refundable or non-refundable. If non-refundable, you cannot get your money back just for changing your mind. If refundable, there is usually a important date — often 24 hours before the event. After that, no refund.

What if the event was rescheduled instead of cancelled?

Rescheduled events are not automatically refundable. The organizer decides whether you can refund or must keep your tickets for the new date. Ticketmaster will show you the option in your account. Some organizers allow both; others force you to choose one or the other.

Do I get fees back if the event is cancelled?

Usually not. Ticketmaster refunds the ticket price but keeps service fees, facility charges, and order processing fees. Some organizers choose to refund fees as well — if they have, Ticketmaster will show the full refund amount before you confirm. You can see exactly what you will receive.

Can I transfer my tickets instead of getting a refund?

Yes, if the event allows it. Some events let you transfer tickets to another person through Ticketmaster's transfer tool. This is different from a refund — the other person gets the tickets, and you keep the money. Check the event page to see if transfer is an option.